Owl from Winnie the Pooh

The Owl in Winnie the Pooh is a large one and stands at 28 inches tall and his wings upon full stretch can reach a length of nearly 42 inches. While Eeyore, Piglet and Pooh are the original toys belonging to Christopher Robin Milne, Rabbit and Owl where not part of his original collection. But as the story developed a need was felt to bring new characters. Hence Rabbit & Owl were added. Since these two animals had the gift of brains their original names were used.

Owl is supposed to be the wisest in the 100 Acre Wood and his favourite food is the afternoon tea. His intelligence is often called upon to aid a certain bear of very little brain. He speaks eloquently and although he can spell "TUESDAY," he spells his own name "WOL." The reason behind Owl spelling his name as “WOL” is that Wol happens to be a Sussex & Kentish word for Owl. It also means that Milne’s characters were quite British. He can even spell "HIPY PAPY BTHUTHDTH THUTHDA BTHUTHDY." ("A Very Happy Birthday with love from Pooh.") In some cases his spelling comes under the scanner when delicate words like buttered toast & measles are put forth. Additionally Owl is capable of reading too, but that only when no one else is looking over his shoulder. In some sense Owl is special, he is not only is aware about vast matters but has the ability of explaining things as well.

The most admirable thing about Owl is that he is very happy to offer his advice, anecdotes and opinions irrespective of someone wanting it or not. Another thing that Owl is quite fond of is telling stories related to his relatives, he tells everyone about his aunt who once laid a seagull’s egg mistakenly whereas his uncle previously survived a very blusterous day.

Owl resides in a tree called The Chestnuts, situated right in the center of the 100 Acre Wood. This reside of his is described as being an “old world residence with great charm” and has amenities like pull-bell and door-knocker on the door. Unfortunately that house was blown away in a storm mention in the book The House at Pooh Corner. Thereafter Eeyore set about locating a new residence for Owl and manages to find what he thinks is the ‘perfect’ residence for Owl. Eeyore had no idea that the house belonged to Piglet. Nevertheless Piglet invites Owl to take his residence. It is presumed that Owl did take up his new residence when he created a sign naming the place “The Wolery”.

The original casts of Winnie the Pooh are all stuffed animals but Rabbit and Owl are the closest to being real animals. This can easily be understood when Rabbit makes a comment to Owl wherein he says “You and I have brains. The others have fluff.” He is sometimes (not all the time) wearing reading glasses in the illustrations made by E.H. Shepherd. The illustrations wherein he is depicted as writing show him holding the pen in his talons and not being held in his wing.

The original voice for Owl was provided by actor Hal Smith, who also appeared in 'The Andy Griffith Show', 2 other T.V. series and 11 movies. He also provided the voice for Philippe in 'Beauty and the Beast'. After his death, Andre Stojka has provided the voice for Owl.